Rezhen's Chaos

Jad entered a tavern called mercenaries’ resting place.

Four people who’d gathered earlier were drinking beer.

“Does beer go down your throat?”

The moment Jad sat at the circular table, he shot out bluntly.

Enri chewed sausage while glaring at Jad.

“What nonsense kills the drinking mood?”

“An investigation team is coming. The royal family directly, no less.”

“Mmm. I see.”

“Does this sound like a joke?”

“Did we commit crimes? What’s the worry?”

“Those who fabricate nonexistent crimes are swarming in droves. Don’t you understand what this means?”

“I’m tipsy, so explain so I can understand easily.”

“It means your guild’s bulk grew too big.”

Zodiac added.

“Probably, they’ll watch Named regardless of this incident and apply pressure if necessary.”

Sallio set down his beer mug.

“Do you know something?”

“The hunting dog is trying to slip the leash, so they’re worried.”

“Hunting dog…”

“You’ve never left the mountain range until now. Everyone thought you just offered materials. But forces rapidly swelled after concluding the three-way alliance, and you even killed the mountain’s master. Do you think they’ll believe a guild with overflowing power will stay trapped in the mountain range?”

“Excessive thinking. We’re merely an A-rank guild anyway.”

The guild’s highest rank is S.

But even those achieving the individual highest rank, black grade, didn’t become S-rank guild leaders.

Most draw lines to end at A-rank guilds.

Because of concerns that places with hundreds of subordinate guilds might devour castles.

Thus, nations began limiting mercenary ranks.

A-rank was the boundary line where castles could dispatch knight orders to sweep them away.

“Even just seeing this mountain range. Without the castle’s support, we couldn’t even drink here.”

“Others don’t think that way. They only judge by numbers.”

Named guild’s members exceed hundreds.

Most are mages, both deputy guild leaders are level 6, and the guild leader is level 7.

“You even conquered the mountain summit. Whether Zeef and the Royal Guard Knights cooperated or not, looking at results, your power exceeds ordinary knight orders.”

“You mean we exceeded the minimum line of power permissible for mercenaries?”

“That’s how it looks outside. They’re worried you might run wild.”

“So the royal family dispatches an investigation team?”

“Even the association is just watching carefully.”

Sallio chuckled.

“Conquering the mountain range was that big?”

“Those ripples will now echo beyond Rezhen to the world. And everyone will know. Guild Leader Pernok will absolutely not remain only in the mountain range.”

Hallam wiped beer foam from his lips with the back of his hand and asked.

“So what do you want to say? Telling us to keep sitting pressed in the mountain range?”

“No, grab a sturdier rope.”

Enri slammed down her beer mug loudly.

“Now I see—there was another scheme?”

Zodiac didn’t deny it and smiled quietly.

“A-rank guilds eventually join hands with various forces to expand limits. Only then can they instill reassurance that their power serves the nation. Everyone except you decided directions. They concluded exclusive contracts with their respective forces in Rezhen Kingdom where succession battles intensify.”

“Are you crazy? Exclusive? With nations!?”

“When you leave the mountain range, you’ll feel it. The fact that the A-rank title is inferior even to frogs trapped in wells.”

“So where did you attach?”

“We joined the 4th Prince’s side.”

At the word “we,” everyone’s gaze turned to Jad.

Jad clicked his tongue.

“Zodiac’s right. We tried expanding subordinate guilds but pressure came from everywhere. If we expand forces beyond that, who knows what measures the castle might take…”

“Hey, you’re funny. You said you rushed here for loyalty?”

“…That…couldn’t be helped, Enri. Even you would’ve done this.”

“Me?”

“You’re also greedy. Can you walk around cheerfully if they draw limits saying A-rank guilds are the end and operate?”

“No, that’s…”

“See, this is the trend. To exceed the range permitted to us, we ultimately have no choice but to join hands with those above.”

Sallio looked at Jad and Zodiac with indifferent eyes.

“Now I understand. The reason you accepted a request the Ten Assembly avoided no matter how good the compensation. You wanted to recruit us?”

Zodiac nodded.

“The 4th Prince promised to raise mercenaries to equal relationships, not hierarchical ones. I don’t fully believe those words, but at least the prince said he’d help create an S-rank mercenary corps.”

“Not a level the 4th Prince can handle.”

“He’s ambitious. More trustworthy than other royals. Look him up if curious. He’s currently managing a castle receiving citizens’ support, so you’ll like him too.”

Sallio shook his head.

“Sorry. I don’t intend to abandon the guild leader. Others think the same.”

Enri and Hallam nodded. Jad and Zodiac sighed.

“This is dimensionally different from stepping on sprouts. The moment the nation designates you as sword-wielding bandits, you’ll face concentrated fire. Think Pernok can handle that?”

“We’ll think about that when it comes.”

Sallio swallowed in his throat the words questioning whether they’d be in Rezhen Kingdom by then.

He knows better than anyone that A-rank guilds are treated like hunting dogs by nobles.

Just as these two boarded the 4th Prince’s ship, they bet their lives on the possibility called Pernok.

‘I heard the 4th Prince is passionate but lacks ability and is a dreamer with many fantasies.’

The most important virtue in turbulent times is military force.

Pursuing only right ideals can’t lead everyone.

The ship Zodiac and Jad boarded will sink before long.

‘Leaders must prove with results. Pernok moves even processes as intended.’

Zeef and the Royal Guard Knights’ names no longer circulate.

This place is full of people’s cheers praising only Pernok.

Power deployed while grasping justification.

With this alone, half is already won.

Moreover, Pernok is a level 7 mage at merely nineteen.

And he commanded battlefields far more skillfully than experienced mercenaries.

Incomparable to the rope called 4th Prince—inborn king’s qualities.

‘I don’t intend to end as a mercenary either.’

Sallio, Enri, and Hallam’s resolution was firm.

The three who’d long known A-rank guilds’ limits had no regrets joining Pernok.

“If Pernok joins us, will you two also gather intentions?”

“Impossible.”

“Well, who knows about that.”

Jad turned his gaze outside the window.

“The investigation team came grinding teeth hard.”

The main road buzzed.

Numerous groups walk carrying association and kingdom flags side by side.

One flag among them catches the eye.

“You’ll have to choose too.”

Rezhen Kingdom’s direct bloodline.

Emblems symbolizing royalty were embedded.

* * *

The joint investigation team’s leader was the 2nd Prince Rio had predicted.

“Rezhen Kingdom’s 2nd Prince Salavan. And here is Baron Ivan who’ll assist me.”

Borden looked with flustered eyes at the blonde man smiling warmly without ever speaking down despite being subordinate.

The prediction that the 1st Prince would come directly tangled.

Rather, the situation where the 2nd Prince brought Ivan, the 1st Prince’s confidant, was confusing.

The ill-fitting combination made handling difficult.

‘He’ll definitely ask about Marquis Zeef’s cause of death. Salavan will pass over it, but Ivan will bite and hang on deadly.’

Ivan’s gaze was fierce.

The moment conversation opened, he seemed tightly united with will to devour this side.

‘But why Salavan? What’s the reason the 1st Prince didn’t come directly but sent a confidant? Why did Salavan, bitter enemies with the 1st Prince, tolerate it?’

Across the confused table, only Pernok wore a subtle smile.

‘Has good qualities but inferior to Rio.’

Pernok grasped Salavan’s talent with Soul Discernment.

‘A typical strategist who knows how to think a bit. As Rio reported.’

He didn’t care much about that person’s character.

Because Pernok guessed why Salavan and Ivan who couldn’t mix like water and oil came here together.

“If we’d known Your Highness would come, we’d have prepared a better seat.”

“Count, I came today as investigation team leader. Let’s set aside formalities.”

“Ah, yes. Please speak comfortably.”

Salavan smiled and asked.

“Count Borden, demon beasts are steadily born in the mountain range?”

“Though the master died, the mountain range remains.”

“I’d like to dispatch an investigation team—will you attach guards?”

“As many as you want. I’ll call the knight order immediately.”

“Knight orders must strive to guard the castle. I need veteran hunters who know the path to the summit thoroughly.”

Feeling Salavan’s gaze, Pernok smiled and bowed politely.

“Thank you for the honor of serving the leader. I’ll guide to the summit with our guild’s excellent experts.”

“Reassuring. Nothing better than watching rumored abilities nearby.”

Salavan turned his head to Borden again.

“Regarding blocking invasion without citizen damage and troops at virtually zero casualty levels, the royal family highly values Count Borden’s achievements.”

“Thank you.”

“Same for Guild Leader Pernok.”

“Thank you.”

Whether satisfied with both people’s respectful attitudes, Salavan nodded.

“Though there were unfortunate sacrifices, I think them glorious deaths. But the royal family finds Marquis Zeef’s case quite difficult to accept easily.”

As the main topic flowed out, Borden tensed while Pernok answered leisurely.

“You mean the one who agitated the mountain’s master, threw away the battlefield, and even died at the master’s hands?”

“Words are excessive!”

As if waiting, Ivan raised his voice.

Pernok looked at Ivan.

“What’s excessive?”

“Marquis Zeef upheld the royal family’s solemn command to guard the mountain range and correct problems here. Yet how do you disgrace the deceased by driving that noble death to personal immorality!”

Befitting the 1st Prince’s confidant, his skill trying to defend Zeef is considerable.

But witnesses who weathered death struggles on site are abundant here.

Ivan’s words appealing to emotions didn’t work at all.

“I reported what I saw as is, and Count Borden also acknowledged this and petitioned His Majesty.”

“We came here to determine that incident’s rights and wrongs!”

“What do you want to hear?”

“What?”

“Evidence and circumstances of the incident are already clear.”

Borden added.

“That’s right, Baron Ivan. I also saw directly. High-grade demon beasts climbed castle walls, yet Marquis Zeef went in the opposite direction from the battlefield.”

“Count, I came here now as an investigation team member.”

“What, watch your words? Hahahaha! Look, Ivan. Can continuously mentioning already finished matters be considered fair investigation team work? Is that truly His Majesty’s will?”

Though Borden’s gaze sharpened, Ivan didn’t withdraw.

“This field investigation aims to review all incidents from the origin to confirm suitability for dividing achievements and punishments.”

“However, that shouldn’t become defense toward criminals.”

“Do you think everyone in the royal family will accept that a nation’s Magus made such judgment?”

“Why must I know even their thoughts? I already saw countless sacrifices here. If Marquis Zeef had properly coordinated with us, poor soldiers wouldn’t have died.”

“We’ll completely re-examine that truth…!”

Tap!

The teacup sound placed on the table clearly drove out fierce momentum.

“Please calm down.”

“But Leader…!”

“Before coming here, I promised one thing with elder brother. To investigate fairly together with you.”

Though Salavan smiled with his eyes, bones filled his voice.

“If you mistake that we came all this way to reveal one individual’s death, I’ll have to temporarily set aside promises with elder brother too.”

“…”

Ivan twisted his lips while turning bright red.

Whether amused by something, Salavan gazed at Pernok with a smile across his face.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrogate. I came for field investigation including a nation’s Magus dying futilely, so please understand.”

Pernok hid laughter inside.

‘You beautifully make Rezhen’s largest faction, the 1st Prince faction, eat water while trying to buy my favor?’

Why he brought the opposite faction’s person here was so obvious, reading intentions was easy.

Salavan also didn’t bother hiding goodwill.

‘The mountain’s master who killed a Magus. Me who subdued that. Rising to level 7 mage at young age, who knows how much more I’ll grow later.’

Such appetizing talent, isn’t it?

‘Not wanting to hand me over to others, another huge force’s head came directly.’

Salavan who’s active and seems to use his head somewhat.

If the opponent intends to hook this side somehow, talk becomes simple.

‘The more adequate, the easier to catch as a sucker.’

Pernok grinned toward the delicious prey.